Archive for August, 2012

Left to right, James Harkins, Mark Lambert, Jan Root and Ileana Gutierrez, of the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records, prepare to move a one-of-a-kind 1833 map of Austin's Colony to its drawer in the map collection at the Texas General Land Office on Tuesday August 28, 2012. The priceless 8-foot by 8-foot hand-drawn map is one of the most important items in the Archives and Records collection, said Archives and Records Deputy Commissioner Mark Lambert. Four large historical maps were returned to the Land Office on Tuesday from the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Mass., where they were digitally scanned over the last three months thanks to two $10,000 donations by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Summerlee Foundation. The scanning was part of the Save Texas History Program. The digital images of the maps will soon be made available at savetexashsitory.org. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Gabriel Urdiales, 11, feels the burn of a particularly hot salsa at the 22nd Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival at Fiesta Gardens on Sunday August 26, 2012. In the line with Gabriel are his parents Danny Bustos and Stacy Urdiales and his brother Blake Urdiales, 5. The free event featured more than 350 different salsas, and is a fund raiser for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Bat Fest was celebrated Saturday evening on the Ann Richards Congress Ave. bridge with music, food, vendors and artistry for the masses culminating in the nightly flight of thousands of Mexican free-tail bats from under the bridge. For Tristan Hargrove, 6, it’s all about Batman and of course his Batmobile. His father said “He just loves Batman.”

Oscar Torres Jr., 4, seems to wonder why a fish hasn't taken his bait as he looks on with anticipation. Oscar Torres took the time Thursday afternoon to take his son Oscar Jr., 4, fishing on the Low Water Crossing beneath Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin. "He just loves fishing. This is our last week since he starts Pre-K next week" said Torres.

Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Aug 23, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fishing Beats School For Now

With the help of the canning resurgence, mason jars are back with a bang, and not just for jams and jellies. We look at why these nostalgic jars are so popular and how some cooks, including cookbook author Shaina Olmanson, are using them as baking vessels for desserts.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best for photographing still lifes in the studio. I used a piece of plywood sitting around as the counter top and framed the background with a wooden cabinet we use for storage. I used tungsten lights for a warmer feel and a shallow depth of field to put the attention on the jars. It was then a matter of playing around with the variety of jars and lids. It worked out well enough to be lead on a Life page.

People look at a fatal accident in the intersection of Dessau Road and Braker Lane on Tuesday August 21, 2012. According to APD senior police officer Veneza Bremner, the motorcycle rider, a 33-year-old white man, was killed when he collided with an SUV in the intersection. The male driver of the SUV was not injured. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Louie Natal jumps his BMX bike into Lady Bird Lake at the Fun Fun Fun Fest Aqua Olympics at Fiesta Gardens on Sunday August 19, 2012. The second annual Aqua Olympics also included a tug of war contest across the lake and paddle board jousting. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

A fire at the Forest Hills apartments on Willow Creek in Southeast Austin has displaced 17 people, heavily damaging two units and causing extensive damage to four other units as officials determined the cause was an improperly discarded cigarette. One resident was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge due to smoke inhalation, and a firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion. Resident Phil Aronson rescued his cat Sammitch and carries him to safety after he was evacuated from his unit which was damaged in the fire. "I thought I was going to have a nice quiet evening with my girlfriend. Now I just have my cat and the shirt on my back. " said Aronson.

The 36th Infantry Division, Task Force Arrowhead, Security Force Assistance Team held their deployment ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Manor High School as they prepare for their mission in Afghanistan. These National Guard soldiers will work with the Afghan Army, Police and military units as part of Security Force Assistance Teams. Sergeant First Class Ryan Marberry says goodbye to his young children Hannah, 8, and Hudson, 2, as he prepares to deploy. His wife Tina Marberry just finished her tour of duty last year.

Olga Blanco cheers for her husband Staff Sergeant Brian Schnur as daughters, from L-R: Sylar, nine months old, Delicia, 9 and Nayobi, 8, cheer his arrival into the gym for the ceremony.

Staff Sergeant Brian Schnur gives his young daughter Sylar, nine months old, a goodbye kiss as he prepares to deploy.

400 soldiers will be deployed from this unit.

With their three children waiting in the car Kelly Scroggs has a final goodbye embrace with her husband Second Lieutenant Darrell Scroggs outside the gymnasium in their last moments together before his deployment.

An officer carries his belongings to the final check-in at the school before departing.